- Date of Birth17 / 03 / 1940
- Lions Tours1966, 1968
- International CapsScotland / Lions
- Lions Origins SchoolsGalashiels Academy
- Lions Origins ClubsSouth of Scotland, Barbarians, Melrose
Jim Telfer has had the rare honour of touring with The British & Irish Lions as both a player and a coach during his career.
The Scottish back row featured for the Lions on the 1966 Tour of Australia and New Zealand, playing in five of the six Tests including both victories over the Wallabies.
Two years later he was part of the squad that toured South Africa, playing 11 games in all including three Tests. He scored three tries early in the Tour.
Capped 24 times by Scotland between 1964 and 1970, Telfer turned to coaching after retiring as a player and became his country’s national coach in 1980.
Three years later in 1983 he was Head Coach as the Lions toured New Zealand, while he was an assistant coach to Sir Ian McGeechan on the 1997 Tour to South Africa.
That Tour was memorable not only for a 2-1 series win but also Telfer’s legendary 'Everest' speech before the first Test at Newlands.